In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 53

Taming The Tongue Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2018

A sermon on the tongue. James says the tongue controls, destroys, and cannot be tamed, but fortunately there is one Perfect Man, Jesus Christ, and he points us to Him.

Can you figure out this riddle? “I am often held, but never touched. I am always wet, but never rust. I often bite, but I am seldom bit. To use me well, you must have wit. What am I?” Can you figure it out? Ready for the answer? It is…the tongue! The tongue can be held without being ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith Or Works? Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 12, 2018

In James 2, we see one of the most challenging passages of Scripture. However, when seen in context, James' point becomes clear and understood.

The English language can be a very challenging language to learn. Part of that is because many ordinary words that we use in everyday conversation can have many different meanings. Take the word “run,” for example, which according to dictionary.com, has over 179 different meanings for the word. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18, James 2:1-26, James 2:15-26, James 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Profitable Problems Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Aug 30, 2018

James teaches us about problems and faith already in the second verse of his letter. This sermon looks at problems and how we can count them as all joy in Jesus Christ.

Theologian Clinton Armstrong tells this story about a lunch that he had that pertains to the Epistle of James. He once had lunch with an expert in the philosophical field of ethics. Once they were done eating, they talked for a little bit longer and then paid the check. Just before they left, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31, James 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 12:10, James 1:1-12, Romans 8:28, James 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are Called In Jesus Christ

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Aug 4, 2018

As Paul moves to chapters 4-6 of Ephesians, he begins his "application" part of the letter. In 4:1-16, Paul talks about what it means to be called. What that looks like for life, your church life, and your serving.

As you know, for the last three weeks, we have been in the book of Ephesians. Paul has told us back in chapter one how we are blessed, adopted, chosen, and sealed in Jesus Christ. In chapter two, he told us about what we were like before Christ came, aliens and strangers to grace! Last week, we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 4:1-7, Ephesians 4:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are A Citizen Of His Kingdom/The Wall Comes Tumbling Down

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 22, 2018

The second message in the series highlights what you were before Christ came. It highlights the hostility and conflicts between Jew and Gentile, but how that has changed (and what it means for you) since Christ has come.

Author Rita Snowden tells this famous story from World War I. On the Western Front in France, there was a group of soldiers who brought the body of a dead comrade to a French cemetery to have him buried. The priest came out to them, and said gently that He is required to ask if their fallen ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are....in Jesus Christ

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 21, 2018

As Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians, he tells us four things that we are in Jesus Christ. We are blessed, chosen, adopted, and sealed in Jesus Christ. The sermon also has suggestions for illustrations.

There are many times in life in which your standing affects what you say. For example, if someone who is better than you, at let’s say bowling, really beats you and then tells you that you are actually really good (although you had a lot of gutter balls), you can feel insulted. Or, when a single ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Still! Be Calm! The God Of Creation Is With Us!

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 18, 2018

This sermon looks at Jesus' miracle of stilling the storm and applies it to our lives. The first half looks at the text, and the second text applies it with the hymn "Be Still, My Soul."

Man and water have always had an interesting relationship. It is something that man cannot control, although it is all around him and vital for his survival. Over 75% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. We live in the land of 10,000 lakes, it is all around us as well. Despite that, it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Are You?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 7, 2018

This sermon examines God's question in Genesis 3:9: "Where are you?" It looks at where are Adam and Eve in relation to God. It looks at where we are, and where God can be found. This sermon also uses the analogy of Hide and Seek to advance the thought.

For some reason, it seems that every kid loves the game, “Hide and Seek.” My siblings have always enjoyed it. My cousins have always liked it, and it is one of my nephew’s favorite games. The children of my friends always want me to play it with them as well. Kids love to hide, and then to be ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 130:1-2, Psalm 130:7-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Now You Know The Rest Of The Story

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 6, 2018

A sermon built around Paul Harvey's phrase: "Now you know the rest of the story." It looks at the story of Adam and Eve, our part in the story, and Jesus'.

Today’s text is an interesting one. It doesn’t start at verse 26. It even doesn’t start at verse one of the chapter, nor does it even begin in chapter 22 on Maundy Thursday. It doesn’t even begin at chapter one, verse one of Luke. We’re not getting the whole story this morning. It is like ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15, Genesis 3:1-19, Luke 23:26-49

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is The Sabbath?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 1, 2018

In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus teaches us about what the Sabbath is through His healing of a man with a withered hand. This sermon explains what the Jews believed about the Sabbath, and how we can apply the Sabbath as modern Christians.

In the movie The Incredibles, there is a scene where ex-Super Hero Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, has a confrontation with his boss. Mr. Incredible has been forcibly retired from the hero business for years, and is working at an insurance company. He is doing a good job, but too good of a job. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6, Mark 2:27-28, Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Dec 7, 2017

John the Baptist helps us get ready for Advent. He points us to baptism, repentance, and the Mighty One, Jesus Christ. This sermon looks at the text and then shifts into an application with two illustrations.

To borrow the words of Meredith Wilson: “It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.” Thanksgiving is done and the leftovers are consumed. Black Friday is over. Cyber Monday and Cyber week are finished. This week, we had our first real taste of winter and Minnesota weather ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Last Page Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus teaches us about the final judgment. This sermon uses the analogy of reading the last page of a book to explain the parable. It helps the hearer to see how this supports the doctrine of faith alone, and it encourages them to serve.

The first thing that I always do when I read a new book is to read the last few pages. Its something that I always do, and I can’t help it or stop it. I love reading the last scene and then reading the book to figure out what that last image portrayed means, or the reason and significance behind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Using Your "Talents" Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus again repeats Himself in Matthew 25, and He tells us another parable to get us ready for the end times. He tells a different story with the same point. Will we get it this time?

You know something is important when someone repeats it a second time. You can also know if something is important when they say the same thing again, but in a different way, so that if you didn’t get it the first time, you might get it the second time. It can be a technique that we can be quite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Let It Go Out! Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus warns us to be ready for His return. He warns us because the danger and threat is real. To do so, He tells us story about 10 virgins who are waiting for the return of the Bridegroom. The parable is explained and applied to the hearer.

In Annie Dillard’s Teaching a Stone to Talk, she talks about a British Artic expedition which set sail in 1845 to chart the Northwest Passage around the Canadian Artic to the Pacific ocean. Neither of the two ships and 138 men on board returned. Why? They packed their ship like they were going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Song Of The Reformation

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 17, 2017

There are some TV show theme songs or commercial jingles that we can immediately recognize. Luther's "A Mighty Fortress" is one of them too, for it is the theme song of the Reformation. This sermon is based on Psalm 46, the one the song is from.

There are some theme songs that are just iconic and memorable. There are some that are so recognizable that when part of it is heard or sung, you can immediately recognize the TV show that it belongs to. For example, “Here’s a story, of a lovely lady, who had three very lovely girls…” belongs to ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran